Lactation

Lactation describes the period (lactation period) of time that a mother lactates to feed her young.
Lactation is regulated by the interactions of several hormones including estradiol, progesterone, prolactin, and oxytocin, the processes of lactation include; milk secretion by the maternal mammary glands after parturition, the proliferation of the mammary glandular tissue, milk synthesis, and milk expulsion (milk let down).

Our body process of feeding breast milk is called breastfeeding or nursing. Galactopoiesis is the maintenance of milk production (lactation). *

In our body, Estrogen stimulates the milk duct system to grow and differentiate.
In our body, generally, Estrogen levels also drop at delivery and remain low for the first several months of Breastfeeding.

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“Progesterone & Lactation”

In our body, progesterone influences the growth in size of alveolar gland (alveoli) and lobes in the breast, high levels of progesterone inhibit lactation before birth.
In our body, Progesterone levels drop after birth, this triggers the onset of copious Breast Milk production. In our body, the myoepithelial cells can contract under the stimulation of Oxytocin thereby excreting milk secreted from alveolar units into the lobule lumen toward the nipple, where it collects in sinuses of the ducts.

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†The statements on this Web site have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). And are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. The information presented is not intended to replace medical advice or treatment from your own doctor or healthcare provider. Nothing presented here is intended as a substitute for prescription medication or any other medical treatment prescribed by your doctor.